Surrey into Royal London One-Day Cup semi-finals despite Coles blast almost snatching it for Kent

Phew, that was close: Relieved Surrey celebrate after beating Kent in the Royal London One-Day Cup at The Oval (Image: Mark Sandom)

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A sensational 73-ball century from Matt Coles just failed to snatch a semi-final spot from Surrey's grasp in the Royal London One-Day Cup on Thursday night.

The hosts looked certainties for a place in the last four after reducing Kent to 101-7 as they chased 251 in 40 overs, reduced from 274 in 50 by an 80-minute rain delay.

Batting at number nine, the burly Coles had just the tail for company but carefully shepherded the strike while unleashing seven fours and nine sixes.

But his charge was halted, to the relief and delight of the hosts, when - having reached his century - Coles skied the four ball of the 38th over off Tom Curran (3-22) for wicketkeeper Ben Foakes to take the catch and earn victory by 17 runs on Duckworth-Lewis.

It means Surrey now play Nottinghamshire on Monday September 7, starting at 11.30pm, for a place in the final.

Earlier, Jason Roy had warmed up for England's limited overs series against Australia by cracking 112, 42 from Rory Burns and Zafar Ansari's 35 inflating the Surrey total to 273 all out from the penultimate ball of the innings.

Early strikes by both Tom and Sam Curran made that total look all the better and the game seemed up when Darren Stevens (37) was caught behind at 140-8. Coles though went close to wrecking that.

Having won the toss, Surrey dismissed the hosts for 233 with seamer Tom Curran once again proving a menace to the West Country side.

He claimed a career-best 7-20 when the sides met in June – instrumental in victory by an innings and 180 runs – and this time took 6-61 from 25 overs to pass 50 wickets for the first time.

Given the extent of the injury problems among their seamers, Surrey would be nowhere near their current position of strength but for the rangy 20-year-old keeping going, his 412 overs making him the county’s busiest bowler, earning 54 victims along the way.

Gareth Roderick (71), Tom Smith (47) and James Fuller (48) kept the hosts in the match but Surrey were put into a commanding position at 349-7 by Foakes’s 140.

Signed from Essex last winter, the 22-year-old made his maiden century in the first match against Gloucestershire and has also looked impressive behind the stumps, although Gary Wilson remains first choice there.

The visitors were given no chance to press on by the weather.

Curran at least got a chance to put his feet up, having been ever-present in the Championship side, but is revelling in his extended role this year heading the attack.

He said: “To take six wickets and go past 50 in the Championship this season is great.

“The ball swung all day and when it was new it also nipped about off the seam so it was a good toss to win.”

Curran also paid tribute to team-mate Chris Tremlett, the fast bowler announcing his retirement from the first-class game.

“For me, coming into the Surrey team at the beginning of last season when Chris was playing proved a great experience.

"Having someone bowling at the other end with his experience was a great help and all the boys wish him well at the end of a great career.”

Due to turn 34 next week, Tremlett played 12 Tests, 15 one-day internationals and a T20 international for England in a first-class career which saw him finish with 459 wickets at 28.

Injuries were a constant danger though to the 6ft 7in giant who made his debut for native county Hampshire in 2000, his massive frame often incapable of the constant pounding required.

At his best – in helping retain the Ashes in Australia in 2010-11 when he had both home batsmen and slip fielders looking nervous – Tremlett had the pace, control, movement and menace required for a world-beater.

A naturally undemonstrative man, too often he was an enigmatic presence who frustrated team-mates, coaches – and probably himself.

Just 41 first-class matches since signing for Surrey in 2010 underlined how limited his appearances had been and in three out of four games this season – the last against Glamorgan at the Guildford Festival in June – he failed to complete the match.

“Unfortunately injury has hampered me throughout my career and now plays the leading role in my decision to retire,” Tremlett admitted.

“My body, and back in particular, can no longer withstand the vigour of performing at the level required to play professional cricket.”